Residence Hall Policies

Residential Living

Life in a residence hall is a very important aspect of a college education. Residence halls are more than just dormitories or places to eat and sleep. They are places where students can develop meaningful friendships, explore new ideas and become involved with the College community as a whole and the local community neighborhood. The residence halls are active living/learning centers that complement the academic program of the College. Students are provided with opportunities to become involved in their own learning and development throughout the year and to participate in both intellectual workshops and social programs.

Living successfully in the residence halls is dependent upon balancing the greatest possible freedom for the individual with a sensitivity to and respect for the rights of others. A willingness to discuss, negotiate and compromise is essential for all students. Individual and cultural differences contribute to the unique nature of the residence halls and students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to learn from one another.

Damages to College Property

Students are held personally responsible for the condition and furnishings of their own room and jointly responsible for public areas. A resident is also responsible for the loss, theft or damage of college and/or personal property by the resident or guest(s).

Furnishings

1.      All students in a residence unit will be considered responsible for the furnishings in a public area.

2.      Each student room is furnished with a bed, dresser, desk and chair. Students are responsible for furnishing their own pillow and linens. Windows in student rooms are equipped with window shades.

3.      Student rooms are furnished by the College. Only small items of furniture may be brought in by the students. The student is held responsible for having the same furnishings in their room at check out that were there upon their arrival; all furniture should be in the same condition, including fully assembled. The resident will be assessed replacement costs for any missing furniture.

4.      No furniture may be removed from the public areas of any residence hall.

5.      Waterbeds are not permitted.

6.      Painting or stenciling of rooms is strictly prohibited and subject to a maintenance fee.

Fire Safety

Alarms and Drills

When the fire alarm sounds, all residents must evacuate the residence hall as quickly as possible. Failure to evacuate may result in penalties up to suspension from the residence hall. It is recommended that students close windows; turn off all appliances; wear a coat and shoes and take a towel to aid in breathing in a smoke-filled area; keep to the right of stairs; evacuate quickly and meet at the designated point outside of the building. Students should remain outside the residence hall until the re-entry signal is given.

When personally aware of a fire:

1.      Pull the fire alarm.

2.      Evacuate the building.

3.      Dial the Office of Public Safety (518-244-3177) and describe the location of the fire as clearly as possible.

4.      Immediately notify the Resident Assistant on duty or the Assistant Director of Residence Life.

To comply with New York State laws and to familiarize students with evacuation procedures, fire drills are held at least four times each academic year.  

Appliances

1.      All appliances must carry the Underwriters Laboratory approval, UL, stamped on the article.

2.      These appliances may be used in student rooms: air popcorn popper, coffee pot (no exposed coils), personal computer and printer, microwave (not to exceed 1000 watts), fan, hot pot, television, heating pad and refrigerator(s) (which may not exceed 4 cu. ft.).

3.      These appliances may be used only in kitchens and lounges: irons (may be used only in designated locations that have special plugs)

4.      The following appliances are prohibited in the residence halls: butane curling iron, electric blanket, hot plate, air conditioner, appliances (with exposed coil heaters), toaster oven/toaster, microwaves (which operate over 1000 watts), candles, refrigerator(s) (over 4 cu. ft. in size), halogen lamps, 5 multi-colored standing floor lamps and portable heaters.

5.      If you have questions about the rules regarding an appliance not listed here, please contact the Residence Life Office for more information.

E-Bike and Scooters

Safety remains a top priority at Russell Sage College for students, faculty, and staff. As part of these efforts, RSC prohibits the use, parking, and charging of electric scooters, electric bikes, and similar micro-mobility devices inside any RSC facilities.

Use, parking, and charging of these devices inside present fire, safety, and accessibility hazards. This includes all on-campus housing, dining halls, academic buildings, and other RSC facilities. 

General Fire Safety Information

1.      No open flames or any incendiary devices are permitted in the residence halls, or apartments. This includes incense and candles.

2.      The storage or use of flammable liquids or substances, such as gasoline, kerosene, etc. is strictly prohibited.

3.      Only power surge power strips are permitted in the residence halls. These power strips should not be placed under furniture or rugs.

4.      Light bulbs cannot exceed 100 watts. On multiple socket lamps, where there is more than one bulb per unit, maximum wattage for each bulb is 60 watts. Halogen lamps are strictly prohibited.

5.      Bicycles may not be kept in hallways/stairwells, attached to fire equipment, or placed in any manner that interferes with exiting from the building.

6.      Drying racks, trunks, suitcases, trash, or other obstacles (including shoes) may not be placed in hallways, steps, doorways, or other exit routes.

7.      Newspapers and other papers should not be piled up in rooms or common spaces.

8.      Cooking is prohibited in all hallways.

9.      No one may be on the fire escapes at any time except for emergency exiting.

10.  Smoking Policy - Smoking is strictly prohibited in all residence halls and on the Russell Sage campuses.

11.  Tampering with any fire safety equipment (i.e. exit signs, safety lights, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors) is strictly prohibited.

12.  Only artificial trees and garland may be used in the residence halls from December 1st through the end of the fall semester. All decorations must be removed before leaving for winter break.

13.  Small, UL approved, indoor/outdoor lights may be used in the residence halls between December 1st and until the end of the fall semester. All lights must be removed before leaving for winter break. Lights cannot be hung around window or door frames.

14.  Lofts are not allowed in the residence halls, unless they are provided by Russell Sage College.

15.  If you are found to have a fire code violation by the New York State Fire Marshal, you will be given an appropriate amount of time to rectify the cited problem. If you do not make the needed corrections by the deadline given and Russell Sage College is fined by New York State, you will be held financially responsible for this fine.

Tampering with Fire Safety Equipment

Fire extinguishers, alarm systems and conduit, detectors, sprinkler heads, strobes, devices, and exit signs shall not be tampered with or tested by unauthorized persons, nor should anything cover, be attached to, or hung from any piece of fire safety equipment. Students tampering with fire safety equipment are financially responsible for any charges assessed as a result of the tampering.

Keys and Locks

Each resident student is issued one room key and entrance key or fob when they check in. The College strongly advises each student to lock their room whenever they leave and when they are sleeping. If a student’s keys are lost or stolen, they must immediately notify their resident assistant, the Residence Life Office or the Public Safety Office.

The cost for the replacement of a fob is $25. In addition, a room lock change will automatically occur at a cost of $110 per door. The cost of a replacement mailbox key is

$10. If a student has paid the replacement cost for a lost key(s) and then finds the original key(s), the key replacement cost will be refunded in full, but only if a lock change has not yet occurred.

Any form of lock picking or unauthorized room entrance is prohibited on Russell Sage College campuses.

Students are not to loan any residence key to any other person, or to have another person’s key(s) in their possession. In addition, students may NOT have duplicate keys made.

Room Changes

Sometimes the need for a room change occurs. All room changes are a part of the Residence Life housing process and must be approved by the office. Students may not move their rooms until Move Week. Move Week is the third week of each semester. This is a time when students can move without prior mediation to a different advertised location. All room changes which occur during Move Week must be approved by the Office of Residence Life before any move occurs. Any room change which occurs outside the Move Week period, as a result of extenuating circumstances, must be pre- approved by the Office of Residence Life.

The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to change any room assignment or consolidate students whose roommates have not arrived or have moved out (See

Residence Contract). No student may move before Move Week or without obtaining the authorized signature from the Office of Residence Life if outside of the Move Week period. Students who make unauthorized room changes will be subject to disciplinary action.

Opening and Closing of Residence Halls

Opening and closing dates and times for room occupancy are specified in the college calendar and must be observed. Residents must vacate their rooms during vacation periods when the residence hall is officially closed. When the residence halls are closing, information will be distributed to residents regarding appropriate closing procedures.

Failure to follow these procedures will result in charges for improper checkout. At the end of each term, the student is expected to vacate their room within 24 hours of their last exam or at the final closing deadline, whichever comes first.

Storage

Space at Russell Sage College is limited and therefore, storage is not available to residents during the academic year or the summer. In the case of international residents, you may make arrangements through the Office of Residence Life.

Pets

Out of consideration for people with allergies, because of possible health hazards, and in consideration of state and local health standards, only fish kept in an unheated bowl or aquarium are permitted in most residence halls. This policy applies to residing as well as visiting pets.

The exception to this policy is Manning Hall on the Troy campus which is classified as “small pet friendly” housing. Hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rats, mice, rabbits, chinchillas, and cats are considered small pets, and must be properly registered with and approved by The Office of Residence Life before residing on campus. The acquisition of a cat, purchased, fostered, adopted, or stray, while a student at Sage, is prohibited.

Animals must be registered prior to the Room Reservation process, typically in April of each year. Registration does not mean that you will be accepted into pet-friendly housing, and, in the event that the number of registered animals exceeds the number of spaces available, room assignment will proceed according to a student’s lottery number.

The cost to live in pet-friendly housing is an additional $150.00 per semester applied to a student’s account.

More information on pet-friendly housing can   be found at: https://www.sage.edu/student-life/residence-life/special-housing-applications/

Gender-Affirming Housing

Gender-affirming housing is an option that allows students to live together regardless of biological sex, gender, or gender-identity. This allows students of any gender identity to live together regardless of sex assigned at birth.

Gender-affirming housing is available only on the Troy campus. Interest in the program will determine the building selected for this program.

More information on gender-affirming housing can be found at: https://www.sage.edu/student-life/residence-life/special-housing-applications/

Quiet and Courtesy Hours

Creation of an environment conducive to study is a primary objective in the residence hall. This requires that each resident shows consideration for others by keeping the noise level low and contained within the space of their room so that students who are studying will not be disturbed.

Quiet hours are standard as follows: weeknights 11pm-8am; weekends 12am-8am.

Courtesy hours (students are required to be considerate of the needs of others and govern the noise level of their music, gatherings, and personal activities) exist at all times.

Strict quiet hours, known as study hours, (24-hour quiet hours) will be in effect during reading days and examination periods.

Sunbathing

Sunbathing is prohibited on all decks, fire escapes, and roofs.

Room Entry/Inspection

The College respects a student’s right to privacy, but when the interests of the college community require, or when safety, repair, or maintenance necessitates, the college reserves the right to inspect any college room.

UHCS College Suites Policies and Procedures

For a complete list of policies and procedures please contact UHCS College Suites: www.uhcollegesuites.com/ or call (518) 694-9000

Residence Hall Staff

Each residence hall has a professional and student staff to develop a living environment which promotes close interpersonal relationships, a strong self-identity, individual growth, and a sense of community and individual responsibility

The Assistant Director of Residence Life and Graduate Resident Director are responsible for management of the building, advising of the residents, supervision of the resident assistant staff, and development of hall programs.

The Resident Assistants provide information, peer counseling and programs for the residents. In addition, staff members have been trained to deal with emergency situations and to protect individual and institutional rights through the enforcement of College policies.

On-Call Information

Depending on the day, either one or two Resident Assistants on each campus are scheduled on duty during the evening as an information resource and for help with medical, security, or maintenance concerns. In addition, a trained administrative professional is available each night to assist in emergency situations. The on-call schedule listing names, room numbers and contact information is posted on resident assistants’ doors and other public areas of the residence hall.

The resident assistant on-call hours are as follows: 

• Weekdays 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

• Weekends 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

The professional on-call is contacted through the resident assistant. For any emergencies, the Office of Public Safety is also available 24 hours a day at 518-244-3177.

Laundry Facilities

Laundry facilities are located in all residence halls. Washers and dryers are for residential student use only. Ironing boards are available in the laundry room. Fire regulations prohibit ironing in student rooms.

Theft or Loss

The College is not responsible for the loss, theft or damage to the personal property of the student. It is strongly recommended that the student provide insurance coverage for all items of personal property.

Large sums of money or other valuables should not be kept in residence hall rooms. In the event of a theft, the student should notify the resident assistant and the Office of Public Safety.

Vacation Housing/Early, Late Housing

The housing contract provides housing for students only when college is in session. Students who need to arrive early or remain over vacation times due to special circumstances must request to do so in the Residence Life Office. Requests should be in writing before the published deadline. Students will receive permission based on the criteria listed below (please note that, in all circumstances, additional charges may be applied to a student’s account):

I.  Early Arrivals

Permission will be granted based on the following criteria:

A.    International students

B.     Students who are asked to stay at the College's request (on campus employment, athletic teams, internships, etc.)

C.     Academic requirements

II.  Vacation Housing

Generally, the college does not offer vacation housing. Students with special needs must contact the Office of Residence Life for further assistance.

III.  End of the Spring Semester

The residence halls close for all residents not involved in graduation. Students may request to remain until the following Sunday at 11:00 AM. Permission will be granted based on approval from the Residence Life Office. No one may remain past 11:00 AM on the Sunday after graduation.

Overnight Guest Policy

Overnight guests are defined as non-Sage College resident students remaining in the residence halls past 2AM. Sage students who are not residents of the room they will be a guest in, must have permission from the roommate(s) of the host.

A roommate contract must be signed by all roommates upon moving into the residence halls that states that all roommates agree to allow overnight guests. Contracts will be reviewed at the six-week interval of each semester with the Resident Assistant to ensure that all parties are still in agreement with the previously discussed guest policy. At any time during the semester, a roommate may change their mind about having overnight guests and must discuss this with her Resident Assistant. A roommate must agree to a guest’s stay, and sign off on the guest pass, each and every time they remain overnight in the room.

Students will be permitted to have overnight guests a maximum of five times per month.

No student may have a guest overnight more than two consecutive nights. A maximum of two guests per host, per night will be in effect. The host for a guest is responsible for ensuring that their guest knows and abides by the college rules and regulations and state and federal laws.

All Sage students are responsible for their guest(s) actions and must escort them at all times